Dynamic Analysis of Fabric in a Rotating Horizontal Drum Using the Discrete Element Method

DEM을 이용한 회전원통에서의 세탁물의 동역학적 해석

In order to provide a tool for designing more efficient methods of mixing fabric, a simplified discrete element computational model was developed for modeling fabric dynamics in a rotating horizontal drum. Because modeling the interactions between actual pieces of fabric is quite complex, a simplified model was developed where individual pieces of bundled fabric are represented by spherical particles. The simulations are used to investigate fabric bundle kinematics, the power required to drive the rotating drum, and the power dissipated through normal and tangential contacts. Parametric studies indicate only fill percentage, drum rotation speed, and friction coefficient play significant roles in the fabric bundle dynamics.